Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Journalists' Leader Sought By Police, in HidingTORONTO, 18 APRIL 2003--The International Federation of Journalists today called for action in Somalia to counter a "wave of terror" in the capital, Mogadishu, where a journalists' leader is in hiding, fearing for his life.

Omar Faruk Osman, an Internet journalist based in Mogadishu, is currently under threat from security police staff of the transitional government. "He is the latest victim in a wave of terror against journalists and civil rights activists that has reduced Mogadishu to a state of lawlessness," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. The IFJ says social activists are harassed, killed, arrested, threatened, tortured and kidnapped by militia demanding money. Omar Faruk Osman, 27, was informed that he is being sought by the police on the orders of senior officials within the transition government. He was also sought at the office of the Somali Journalists Network (SOJON), where he is the Secretary General. Omar Faruk Osman is now in hiding.
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